Point of Origin

The ninth book in Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta series about the Chief Examiner of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The title refers to the spot where an arsonist sets a fire, although arson is mostly a red herring in this novel. Scarpetta is called to the stud farm of a wealthy and powerful newspaper proprietor, who was once Scarpetta’s political boss, which has burned to the ground, killing all the horses… and an unidentified young woman. Scarpetta’s niece, Lucy, has left the FBI and joined the ATF, and is also assigned to the case. As usually happens in these books, the forces of law and order flounder about for a while, unable to make sense of the crime, or subsequent crimes which are clearly connected. But then an old adversary - show more in this case, the female half of the psychokiller duo who went on a murdering spree a couple of books earlier, and who has now manipulated herself free from the sanatorium for the criminally insane where she was being incarcerated. But as Scarpetta and the ATF discover earlier crimes by the same perpetrator, committed before the psychokiller escaped, it becomes obvious she has a new partner. The clues to his identity then come thick and fast, but he’s leading them around by the nose. So Scarpetta does what she always does and steps into the crosshairs, allowing someone to blow the two killers away. I’ve heard complaints these books go into too much detail with the forensics and autopsies, but that’s why I enjoy reading them. The plots are formulaic, the characters are often a little too good to be true, Scarpetta is always on an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish… but the science and pathology is fascinating. Only nineteen more to go. show less

Scarpetta used to be one of my favourite series. However, the books became increasingly formulaic and patchy. After rushing to buy each new one for many years, I haven't read anything by Cornwell in at least a decade. This one turned up in my street library, so I thought I'd give it a go. Yeah, nah. Too many loose ends and unexplained elements, and the end of the book was rushed, and rather contrived. The escaped colt that received such big buildup was forgotten. I mean, a bunch of horses die in this fire, but one survives, why?????? Who knows - it's never explained.
Killing off Benton was unnecessary and added nothing to the story arc - and resurrecting him in the next book (which I found I had read out of order) is just silly. Habit show more only lasts so long before it becomes a form of compulsion. Since I'm not a compulsive person, Cornwell, I fear, has lost me. show less

First read: 2005
Re-read: July 2016

This was a really quick read for me, I couldn’t put it down from start to finish. Lucy’s nemesis Carrie is back on the scene and she has a severe impact on our team of Kay, Marino, Lucy and Benton.

The story starts with a crazy, ranting letter from Carrie which has been sent to Kay’s home address. Kay has to set it aside to deal with an unusual house fire, where a young woman is found burned to death in the home of a wealthy, older businessman.

Soon it becomes clear that Carrie and the mysterious fire have something in common and Scarpetta and Lucy must figure out what Carrie’s next move will be and who else she has managed to recruit in her vendetta against the two of them.

This is a very personal show more story for Kay Scarpetta, every aspect of this impacts on either herself, her niece or someone else she cares about. Without doubt the hardest part to read is Benton’s death. Kay has suffered so much and knowing that Benton is going to turn up alive in future novels doesn’t diminish how much she is going through.
Point of Origin is a must-read book for any fans of the Kay Scarpetta series. show less

I don't usually read this type of fiction, but I picked it up to read as a quick, easy read after finishing a long, thought provoking novel. My daughter has all these, so it was right there. And I really enjoyed it! It was an easy read, but very interesting, actually. I liked the characters and really wanted to find out as much about them as I could. They were real people behind their professional lives, with real personal problems, but full of love and loyalty for each other. The forensics, etc was very interesting. There was viloence and some gore, etc. but it was not gratuitous or like some horrow stoies, etc. I was left wandering what had happened to the characterics on earlier books and looking forward to finding out what happened show more to them in the future. So I have started another one. show less

CAUTION: SPOILER
Awesome book, but I can't imagine how Kay can continue in her line of work after what's happened to Benton. Honestly, if she CAN go back, I don't know that I'll like her. So far she's been tough, cold when necessary, but still human and feminine. I just can't imagine how she'll change now. Of course, this Cornwell's done a fabulous job with the series, so I suppose I should have more faith.

Patricia Cornwell is the master of suspense and she delivers another helping in Point of Origin. Kay Scarpetta, Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia is back and faced with an evil from her past. In collaboration with her niece Lucy, Detective Pete Marino, and Profiler Benton Wesley, Scarpetta takes on the case of a deadly fire that turns into a plot even more sinister. Well written as always, Patricia Cornwell has delivered another thrilling tale of murder,deceit and mystery. Another page turner in the Kay Scarpetta series!

I liked this book, except the final assault by the perpetrators. The book had a tragic tone and substance. I think it would have been better if this mood had been totally unmitigated. I do not see the series diminishing, yet; the strengths and weaknesses are fairly consistent (with the exception of Cause of Death, which I thought was weak).